The football schedule for the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcats in 2012 will not be any easier than in 2011.

And, it is just as tough within the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) as the same four teams who were ranked at the end of the 2011 season are ranked in the NAIA’s Spring Top 25.

MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU), Missouri Valley College (MVC), Benedictine College (BC), and Baker University (BU) are all ranked slightly higher this spring than where they were at the end of the past season. In the recently-released spring poll, MNU is ranked fifth – up from sixth at the end of last season; Missouri Valley is ninth – one spot better than last fall; BC is 11th – two spots better than their final 13th place in 2011; and Baker is 19th – also two spots better than where they finished last year.

The Bobcats will face Baker and MidAmerica at home, while they will be on the road to take on Benedictine and Missouri Valley.

Peru State will play two non-conference games in addition to their nine-game HAAC schedule.

The Bobcats will open the season on the road on August 25 when they travel to Madison, S.D., to take on the Dakota State Trojans in a non-conference game, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. Last year, the Trojans finished 1-10 in their first year as an independent.

Baker will be the first home opponent on the schedule. The Wildcats and the Bobcats will square off on Sept. 1 at 1 p.m.

Graceland University will be PSC’s homecoming foe on Sept. 29. Prior to the 2 p.m. game, the annual parade and community festival will be held.

The other non-conference foe, Trinity Bible College, will come to the Oak Bowl on Oct. 6 for a 1 p.m. tilt. Senior Day will be held on Nov. 3 when the Bobcats host MidAmerica Nazarene at 1 p.m.

Last year, PSC finished 2-8 overall and 2-7 in the HAAC. It is anticipated that over 130 potential players will report for fall camp in early August.

New Bobcat head coach Steve Schneider is ready for the fall having completed a successful spring football camp. Schneider, who is no stranger to being a head coach, having served a number of years at Midland University (formerly Midland Lutheran College), said, “Our 2012 football schedule will be challenging as we will face four nationally-ranked HAAC teams from last year and two vastly improved non-conference opponents in Dak State and Trinity Bible. We welcome the opportunity and will work to prepare our best each and every week.”

2012 Schedule

8-25, At Dakota State University, 4 p.m.

9-1, Baker University, 1 p.m.

9-8, At Culver-Stockton College

9-15, Open

9-22, At Benedictine College, 1 p.m.

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9-29, Graceland University, 2 p.m. ***

10-6, Trinity Bible College, 1 p.m.

10-13, At Evangel University, 1 p.m.

10-20, Central Methodist University, 1 p.m.

10-27, At Missouri Valley College, 1:30 p.m.

11-3, MidAmerica Nazarene University, 1 p.m.

11-10, At Avila University, 1 p.m.

It is anticipated that immediately following the Nov. 3 game with the Pioneers from MidAmerica that construction will begin on the remodeling of the Oak Bowl. More information on the construction plans will follow.